Recycle unwanted electronic equipment March 23 in New Providence

The County of Union will sponsor a recycling event for electronic equipment on Saturday, March 23, so Union County residents can get rid of unwanted computers, televisions and other electronic equipment in an environmentally proper manner.

The special E-cycling event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Alcatel-Lucent Technologies facility located at 600 Mountain Ave. in New Providence.

All residents of Union County are eligible to participate at no cost. There is a limit of six electronic items per car.

“Computer monitors, old televisions and other electronic devices are the source of a considerable amount of dangerous material, including lead, mercury, cadmium and PCBs – and it is unlawful to dispose of them with the regular garbage,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Union County Solid Waste Advisory Board. “Up to 95 percent of most electronic appliances can be recycled. This is a responsible way to keep hazardous heavy metals out of our environment.”

All that residents need to do is drive to the site with their unwanted electronic equipment. Workers at the site will unload the vehicles.

Pre-registration is not required for this special Saturday collection.

Refrigerators, washers and dryers, microwaves, and air-conditioners will not be accepted, but they are accepted at Union County’s Scrap Metal Recycling Program.

A complete list of the materials that will be accepted on March 23 is available at the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning website: ucnj.org/recycle.

The electronics collection will be held rain or shine, for Union County residents only and not for businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required.

In addition to the special March 23 recycling event sponsored by the County of Union, there are local businesses as well as 16 municipalities that provide E-cycling opportunities for residents. Visit the website ucnj.org/recycle or call your municipal recycling coordinator for more computer and electronics recycling options.

Goodwill and Dell have teamed up to recycle computers. Goodwill in Union County is located at 126 Route 22 West, Springfield 07081, next to Macy’s Furniture. Call Goodwill at 973-912-0156 for more details or visit reconnectpartnership.com.

An alternative drop-off program for recycling electronics equipment is available Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., at Newtech Recycling, located at 600-A Apgar Drive, Somerset; 732-564-3110. Visit newtechrecycling.com.

For more information about recycling events, call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.